Dave Mustaine Reiterates Metallica Stole Enter Sandman Riff from Excel

Dave Mustaine, co-founder of Megadeth and former Metallica guitarist, has reiterated longstanding claims that Metallica used his riffs without credit, alleging that tracks like 'Ride The Lightning' and 'The Four Horsemen' contain his work. He also accused Metallica of plagiarizing the iconic 'Enter Sandman' riff from the crossover thrash band Excel's 1989 song 'Tapping Into the Emotional Void,' a similarity noted by both Mustaine and members of Excel, although no legal action was pursued. Mustaine emphasized his unfair dismissal from Metallica and criticized his replacement Kirk Hammett for copying his solos. The feud highlights tensions between Mustaine and Metallica over creative contributions during his brief tenure from 1981 to 1983. Despite these allegations, Metallica continues to celebrate milestones with their albums achieving multi-platinum status and actively engaging with fans through performances and community initiatives. These claims have been repeatedly discussed in interviews and remain a notable point of contention in thrash metal history.